The Two Groschen was worth 2/100 of a schilling, and was the smallest circulating denomination in the Austrian Schilling currency after the 1 Groschen was discontinued in 1950.
The Schilling was restored as the currency of the Republic of Austria when the republic itself was restored after World War II in 1945. Between 1947 and 1952, coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 groschen; and 1, 2, and 5 schilling were introduced. The 2 and 50 groschen; 1, 2, and 5 schilling were struck in aluminium (98.5% aluminium and 1.5% magnesium), as was the second type of 10 groschen coin.
The reverse of the coin is designed by Benno Rost, and the obverse by Michael Powolny.
The denomination was issued in circulation quantities until 1991, and for collectors' sets until 1994. Together with all the other Schilling coinage, it was demonetised after 28 February 2002 when the country changed to the Euro currency. |
| Obverse | |
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Within a plain border, the obverse of the coin features the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Austria, which is an eagle with open wings, crowned with a mural crown (representing a state, and not a monarch), holding a hammer in its left foot (right from the point of view of the viewer) and a sickle in its right foot. Its feet are in shackles, but the chain between them is broken, symbolising a liberated Austria.
On the eagle's breast, the shield of Austria divided into three horizontal stripes representing the national flag, with "heraldic hatching" (thin lines) indicating the colours: red-white-red.
There is no inscription. |
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